IWPR Ukraine Conference held in Kiev, October 6-7, 2017.
IWPR Ukraine Conference held in Kiev, October 6-7, 2017. © IWPR

Focus

Giving Voice, Driving Change - from the Borderland to the Steppes

Years active: 2017-2021

The Giving Voice, Driving Change - from the Borderland to the Steppes project supports democratisation and governance, human rights and independent media across 10 countries in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Moldova and Ukraine.

More specifically, the project is delivering three main pillars of work:

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1. CAPACITY. The key focus of the project is strengthening the capacity of local reporters, as well as citizen journalists and civil society groups. This includes training, mentoring, and effective institutional advisory support on management and sustainability for selected local media organisations.

2. VOICE. The second pillar supports a wide range of multi-format content production in local languages, Russian and English, from diverse voices of independent reporters, as well as citizen journalists, civic activists and bloggers. This includes independent digital, print and broadcast media, social media, regional websites (including CABAR.asia), investigative reporting and documentary production. Themes of focus are democracy and governance, human rights and rule of law, including freedom of the media. A strong emphasis is made on tackling corruption, and amplifying groundbreaking content across the region, including across language barriers.

3. ENGAGEMENT. The third pillar engages civil society, media, public officials and the public directly in the issues raised through the project’s media outputs. This takes the form of public fora and private meetings, social media, outreach and advocacy campaigns, and through IWPR’s own structured networks.

Established in collaboration with and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the project directly supports Norwegian priorities and values, builds on long-standing Norwegian supported programming in the region, and expands on IWPR’s extensive local and regional networks of independent media and civic groups.

Latest from the project

Zurab Balanchivadze (left), one of two finalists of the Special Prize for Peace Journalism at the awards ceremony on January 29, 2019 together with (l to r) Erik Høeg, Head of the EUMM in Georgia, Des Doyle, Head of Press and Public Information office at EUMM, Beka Bajelidze, IWPR Caucasus Regional Director and Nika Gablishvili, the 2018 Prize winner. (Photo courtesy of EUMM)
Zurab Balanchivadze (left), one of two finalists of the Special Prize for Peace Journalism at the awards ceremony on January 29, 2019 together with (l to r) Erik Høeg, Head of the EUMM in Georgia, Des Doyle, Head of Press and Public Information office at EUMM, Beka Bajelidze, IWPR Caucasus Regional Director and Nika Gablishvili, the 2018 Prize winner. (Photo courtesy of EUMM)
Project Highlight

Georgia: Special Peace Prize Winner Announced

Winning article follows the struggles of an ethnically-mixed village.

Featured
featured photography
The Stepanakert-Sarushen road, guarded by Armenian soldiers.
The Stepanakert-Sarushen road, guarded by Armenian soldiers. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Larisa Harapetyan, 43, who works at the village post office, with her husband Artik, 49, a forest ranger who volunteered with the army during the war. This is the only spot in Sarushen where mobile phone connection is available.
Larisa Harapetyan, 43, who works at the village post office, with her husband Artik, 49, a forest ranger who volunteered with the army during the war. This is the only spot in Sarushen where mobile phone connection is available. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Benjamin, 14, the eldest of Artik and Larisa’s three sons.
Benjamin, 14, the eldest of Artik and Larisa’s three sons. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Pictures of Artik's family. His brother never returned from the first Karabakh war, while his mother died shortly before the most recent conflict.
Pictures of Artik's family. His brother never returned from the first Karabakh war, while his mother died shortly before the most recent conflict. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Larisa fled the city of Sumgayit in Azerbaijan, amid violence shortly before the first Karabakh war.
Larisa fled the city of Sumgayit in Azerbaijan, amid violence shortly before the first Karabakh war. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
The family loves to spend time on the balcony, especially in summer.
The family loves to spend time on the balcony, especially in summer. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
The village of Khramort in the Askeran region, with the new frontier visible.
The village of Khramort in the Askeran region, with the new frontier visible. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Galust, a 69-year-old tractor driver, watches television in his front room.
Galust, a 69-year-old tractor driver, watches television in his front room. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Two of Galust and Lily’s grandsons, 11-year-old Galust and Narek, eight.
Two of Galust and Lily’s grandsons, 11-year-old Galust and Narek, eight. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Khramort is one of the northern villages in the Askeran region. The ruined houses in the upper part of the village were burnt during the first Karabakh war, when the village was occupied by Azeris.
Khramort is one of the northern villages in the Askeran region. The ruined houses in the upper part of the village were burnt during the first Karabakh war, when the village was occupied by Azeris. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Galust with his youngest grandson Narek.
Galust with his youngest grandson Narek. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
A scene from Khramort.
A scene from Khramort. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Galust with his sons Kajik and Gagik-a 42-year-old cattle breeder - and grandchildren.
Galust with his sons Kajik and Gagik-a 42-year-old cattle breeder - and grandchildren. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
A piece of metal torn from a car. This is the new border sign, reading Do Not Pass.
A piece of metal torn from a car. This is the new border sign, reading Do Not Pass. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Armenian soldiers guard the outskirts of the village of Khramort.
Armenian soldiers guard the outskirts of the village of Khramort. © Vaghinak Ghazaryan
Karabakh: New Boundaries, New Realities
Parts of the building housing the parliament and president's office were set alight during the night.
Parts of the building housing the parliament and president's office were set alight during the night. © IWPR
Large crowds of protesters gathered in Ala-Too square.
Large crowds of protesters gathered in Ala-Too square. © IWPR
A burnt-out car in the centre of Bishkek.
A burnt-out car in the centre of Bishkek. © IWPR
Protesters from numerous political groups continued to gather in Bishkek.
Protesters from numerous political groups continued to gather in Bishkek. © IWPR
Protests continued for a second day in Ala-Too square.
Protests continued for a second day in Ala-Too square. © IWPR
The honour guard continued to patrol.
The honour guard continued to patrol. © IWPR
Volunteers distributed water and snacks to protesters.
Volunteers distributed water and snacks to protesters. © IWPR
The parliament and president's office building.
The parliament and president's office building. © IWPR
Volunteers helped clear rubbish from the square.
Volunteers helped clear rubbish from the square. © IWPR
Bishkek: The Day After a Historic Night

Established in collaboration with and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the project directly supports Norwegian priorities and values, builds on long-standing Norwegian supported programming in the region, and expands on IWPR’s extensive local and regional networks of independent media and civic groups.

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